Correctly specify insulation for process equipment and piping

Journal Article · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1997 · Chemical Engineering Progress

OSTI ID:506002

Allen, C ^[1]

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1. Raytheon Engineers and Constructors, Birmingham, AL (United States)

Insulation serves as a thermal barrier to resist the flow of heat. When insulation is installed over piping or equipment to minimize heat losses, the insulation is categorized as heat conservation. Software programs for determining heat losses are based on ASTM C 680. If heat conservation insulation is calculated to determine the most cost-effective thickness for piping or equipment, then the insulation is categorized as economic insulation. Methods for manually determining economic thicknesses using various graphs and precalculated charts are given in Turner and Malloy. However, modern software programs available from industrial associations calculate economic thicknesses based on after-tax annual costs. Costs associated with owning insulation are expressed on an equivalent uniform annual cost basis. The thickness with the lowest annual cost is reported as the economic thickness. Some of the economic data needed to calculate economic thicknesses are fuel cost, depreciation period, annual fuel inflation rate, annual hours of operation, return on investment, effective income tax rate, annual insulation maintenance costs, and installed costs. To obtain accurate economical thicknesses, it is best to solicit installed costs from a local contractor likely to bid on the work. This paper covers the most suitable insulation materials for certain applications, the most economic material and thickness to use, and how the total insulation system should be designed.

• OSTI ID: 506002
• Journal Information: Chemical Engineering Progress, Journal Name: Chemical Engineering Progress Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 93; ISSN 0360-7275; ISSN CEPRA8
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN
CORROSION PROTECTION
FREEZING
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
MAINTENANCE
MATERIALS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
THERMAL INSULATION
THICKNESS